548 ON" USEFUL AND BOOK I. 



able to suppose that a square yard of earth, matted and conso- 

 lidated with the roots of heath or grass, can be penetrated by 

 the delicate fibres of a } r oung plant just brought from the nur- 

 sery; or to imagine that it can find sufficient nourishment in 

 the compass of the pit in which it has been planted. In plan- 

 tations made by pitting and planting, whatever be the nature 

 of the soil, it will frequently be found, that to supply the defi- 

 ciencies occasioned by death for two or three years after plant- 

 ing, will require a sum equal to that which would have pre- 

 pared the soil ; while those that survive are so choked with 

 grasses or heath, and become so coated with moss, as to make 

 no progress *• The pine and fir tribe, it is true, are less liable 

 to this than others, as they soon cover the surface, and destroy 

 all vegetation ; but I apprehend that the deciduous kinds are 

 more checked by it than most people imagine. Where the 

 soil is prepared, the plants rush up with rapidity and vigour, 

 and soon require no other assistance than thinning. Nor is 

 the additional expense of preparing the soil considerable ; in 

 some cases f , it will be more than repaid by the green crops, as 

 potatoes, turnips, &c. which may be raised on it for two or 

 three years after planting; and where no green crop can be 



* At Scone this occurred in 1802 and 3, when the Earl of Mansfield was in the 

 habit of planting extensively without preparing the soil. The plantations since 

 made have been prepared agreeably to my directions, and the success has been 

 equal to every expectation. 



f As occurred at Leughie, under my direction, in 1803, 4, and 5. 



